ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1919, Page 3

ELTHAM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Sept. 30. The building improvements in Elthum include a large private hospital, which is being built by Mr. C. P. Baker for Dr. Cooper. The work has been in hand for about three months and should be completed by the end of October. The building occupies a site on a hi!', at the northern end of the town, commanding an excellent view of the borough and the surrounding country. There are ten patients' rooms, a ward, an op';'Ating theatre, sterilising room, two bathrooms, two sitting-rooms, sisters' and housekeeper's rooms, kitchen, pantry, laundry, maids' room, coach shed, and engine room. Running along the northern side is a large sunny verandah 140 feet by 8 feet. The building is of concrete, and the outside walls are t& be rov.gh cast, finished white. The ceilings will be fibrous plaster and the floor ol the corridor will be composed of "Fama" Electricity for lighting will be generated on the premises w-" „ 'a special plant, and the hospital is be,,._ connected with the borough sewerage ;,„',, tos mains. The street leading to the 'hu.- T rutl is at present steep and rough, but the Borough Council is to have it regraded and put in order. The hospital covers about, liv feet by 5S feet, apart from outbuildings. Mr. A Whitiuu U in charge of (lie work.

Timber is now coming into Eltlnm in large quantities, and yesterday 2'i trucks were waiting to be unloaded for the Egm'ont Box Company. Building operations, which were held up for want of timber, are now moving ahead, arid something is being done to provide the housing accommodation for which there is such an urgent demand..

Mr. J. Marx, chairman of the Mangatoki Dairy Company, speaking of Uic season's prospects from a dairyman's point of view yesterday, said thai, they were decidedly good, and lie expected the factory to have a he tier .season than last year. Feed was berominj plentiful, and it was probable that wore cows would tie milked than last year. Another factor, which should count in favor of farmers, is the improvement in the standard of cows milked and the advanced methods which are generally adopted. In the past, visitors to Eltham have been struck with the number of empty shops, and inquiries as to the reason have often been made. The usual answer from those supposed to kn.-\v as that those with money to invest, miscalculated as to the possibiltios of :ho town. The progress that was once made was expected to continue, and shops and more shop-- were built, in Hie full expectation that tenants who could do good business could always he found. Later it was discovered Hurt in the endeavour to .jtter for the ieCjUircnieuis of the people, the supply had exceeded the drvraarn::. and what appeared lo be a backward movement set in. As a matter of fact th" town was only settling down on a solid foundation and finding its proper level. The business portion had moved too quickly for the town and district it served, and some time had to elap.-.e before the mist-jko could be corrected. There are now signs that Kltham is again moving ahead, and gradually shops that have long been closed are being re-opened. Very probably the time is not. far distant when Kltham will again make a strong ijiward movement and gain a place of much greater prominence as a centre. Eltham has much in its favor, and its healthy atmosphere, mildjclimate, clcao. well-kept streets and buildings, and pretty surroundings commend it as a place 01' residence. It must be acknowledged that Ihe buildings, and especially the shops, do the town great credit, and there are more pretentious towns not far removed which may Weil envy her the advantage she enjoys in this respect. fNOt only are the shops good buildings, but the windows are well dressed, and, in some cases', have quite a city touch.

The Xgaore Gardens are looking very beautiful just now, though not quite at their best. The spring flowers are in full hhiom, and (.he rhododendrons ,110 also making a splendid show. Imposing gate:,- and a new fence at the entrance have lately been completed, and further improvements are to he made by raising the broad pathway and erecting cobblestone and concrete walls. The'stair are now busy putting the children's playing grounds, situated on the further side of the lake, on the right of the gardens, in order, and these improvements will no doubt be fully appreciated by juvenile patrons. Those who visit, tlie gardens on Labor Day will notice a number of changes for the better, and as far as the future is concerned, Messrs. Lister Bros, are determined to know no stopping place till they have made the garden's nerve .the fullest purpose of which they tire capable.